ha'-v'-n ((1) choph (Genesis 49:13, the Revised Version margin "beach"; Judges 5:17, the Revised Version margin "shore," the King James Version "seashore," the King James Version margin "port"); elsewhere "sea-shore" (Deuteronomy 1:7; Joshua 9:1; Jeremiah 47:7) or "sea coast" (Ezekiel 25:16); from root chaphaph, "to wash" or "to lave"; compare Arabic chaffa, "to rub"; and chaffat, "border"; Chufuf, in Eastern Arabia; (2) machoz (Psalms 107:30); (3) limen (Acts 27:12 bis); also Fair Havens, kaloi limenes (Acts 27:8)): While the Greek limen is "harbor," the Hebrew Choph is primarily "shore." There is no harbor worthy of the name on the shore of Palestine South of Chaifa. Indeed there is no good natural harbor on the whole coast of Syria and Palestine. The promontories of Carmel, Beirut and Tripolis afford shelter from the prevalent southwest wind, but offer no refuge from the fury of a northern gale. On rocky shores there are inlets which will protect sail boats at most times, but the ships of the ancients were beached in rough weather, and small craft are so treated at the present time. See illustration under BITHYNIA , p. 483.

Alfred Ely Day

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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